DACHSHUND RACES

Originally written several years ago – some content may be dated but the message is timeless.

Have you ever seen a dachshund race?  Oh, My Goodness!  It is the funniest thing I have ever seen!  I follow a little dachshund on Facebook, and he is quite the celebrity!  His name is Crusoe, and he is from Canada.  He was in a “wiener dog race” and he finally finished 3rd and got the prize of a squeaky ball!  (see it here and if you still want more see his blog… here)  It is so much fun and the funniest thing to watch!  If you know me at all you know I L-O-V-E love dachshunds and everything about them!  These races are so funny because these little guys are so excited at the starting line.  They are so wound up to get going on that race and for what?  To get a squeaky ball!?  Not much of a prize as far as you and I are concerned… or Zuckie – my dachshund – for that matter.  He does not like anything that squeaks!  He doesn’t like noise… loud trucks, thunder, or fireworks, loud anything and especially sirens!

But let’s focus on how the dachshunds begin the race.  These little guys are so excited and so ready to get going!  Excitement, anticipation, and readiness are the traits you see in them!  They are full of joy and life! 

You know we run a race too!  Every day!  And we run the race for a far greater prize than any squeaky ball.  We run for an imperishable crown. 

(1 Corinthians 9:24-27).  24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

So, shouldn’t we begin our daily race the way these little dachshunds begin their race?  With excitement, anticipation, and readiness?  We as Christians, in our walk with the Lord, should be filled with excitement, anticipation and readiness.  If we meet every day with that frame of mind, we cannot lose!  Jesus left us a Helper which is the Holy Spirit, our closest friend!  That means He can help us throughout each day!  I had a friend at work onetime, that when she got there and walked to her desk, we spoke the “Good Mornings” and then we ask one another the usual “how are you doing?”  We usually say … “Blessed and Highly Favored!”  and one day I added “…because I am a child of the King!”  We would smile as if to acknowledge that fact for both of us.  If we truly believe this, we can meet each day with an attitude of excitement for what God will do in our lives that day, anticipation of how it will change us or someone around us and readiness to be used for the Kingdom of Christ.   

Try it out!  When you first wake up in the morning, focus your mind on God and how He has blessed you by giving you another day to tell someone about Him.  I love this scripture:

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

He has blessed you with another day to breathe the air of freedom we have here in America – that is so precious and hard to come by to others throughout the world.  You can thank Him for all the blessings you have whether it be a little heartbeat at your feet (human or animal) or a job, or a vehicle to drive, or a nice soft (or firm) bed to sleep in, or food on your table or any number of things!  You choose!  Focus on what blessing(s) God has bestowed on you in your life and not the worries, problems, and trials you face each day.  THANK HIM FOR THE BLESSINGS!  I know… I KNOW if you do this you will feel better and you will be ready for the “race” for the day!  He would love to hear from you. He loves you so much! After all, He calls you His Beloved.

Check out this YouTube Video… Matthew West, Child of The One True King.